Transfer Centre

Who are Barcelona's three left-back targets?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 07 June 2020

Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the three left-back options Barcelona have reportedly identified as replacements for Junior Firpo.

Barcelona have reportedly identified three left-backs as possible replacements for Junior Firpo this summer.

Firpo has been tipped as a possible makeweight in any deal Barca may strike to bring Lautaro Martinez to the club from Inter Milan this summer, with the Spanish champions still unconvinced by the defender since he joined from Real Betis last year.

Quique Setien is eager to bring in more competition for first-choice left-back Jordi Alba, with Nicolas Tagliafico, Juan Bernat and Raphael Guerreiro rumoured to be on their wanted list.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at those targets and how much they may cost.

Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax)

Ajax full-back Nicolas Tagliafico pictured in October 2019 © Reuters

A host of top clubs have been linked with a move for Tagliafico, with Barcelona joining the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea in the race for his signature.

The Argentine has Champions League and international experience and remains a key figure in Ajax's first-team plans, making 38 appearances for the Dutch outfit in 2019-20 before the season was cancelled.

Tagliafico would appear to fit the Barcelona mould with impressive attacking statistics, scoring five goals and assisting seven this term alone.

The full-back's agent has already confirmed that his client is interested in leaving Ajax this summer too, and he could be available for a cut-price £22.4m fee.

Juan Bernat (Paris Saint-Germain)

PSG full-back Juan Bernat pictured in February 2020 © Reuters

Like Tagliafico, Juan Bernat is 27 and so should have a good spell left at the top level, while he would also be another bargain option for La Blaugrana.

Indeed, as things stand Bernat will be able to leave PSG for free at the end of this month, with his contract due to expire and the Ligue 1 season having already been called to a halt.

The Spain international is another attacking option from full-back - he can play all the way up the left flank - while there would be no doubt about his ability to play for a club as big as Barcelona having already featured for Bayern Munich and PSG.

Another positive of snapping up Bernat is that he has previous experience of playing in Spain for Valencia, albeit not since 2014.

Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)

Spot the theme? Another one of the world's most effective attacking full-backs is also on the shortlist, with Raphael Guerreiro having scored eight Bundesliga goals for Dortmund this season.

Add to that five assists across all competitions and Guerreiro is certainly a player who has a proven track record in the final third - which is exactly where Alba thrives most too.

The 26-year-old may be the most difficult to prise away from his current club, though, with Dortmund reluctant to lose a player who has become an integral part of their first team.

However, Guerreiro could be available for a similar fee to Tagliafico, with previous reports suggesting that Dortmund would consider a bid of around £22m for his services.